Pteropus

Pteropus

(fruit bats or flying foxes), a genus of bats of the suborder Megachiroptera. These bats are relatively large; for example, the body length of the kalonga (Pteropus vampyrus) reaches 40 cm, with a wingspread of 1.4 m. Tails are absent, the nose is pointed, and the ears are small. The head is generally similar to that of a dog or fox. There are approximately 40 species, distributed in southern and southeastern Asia, New Guinea, Australia, Oceania, and Madagascar. They feed on fruit juices and pulps, as well as on flowers that are rich in nectar and pollen. In some places these bats are harmful garden pests. Their meat is edible. The name “flying foxes” is sometimes used for all the Megachiroptera.

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